Academic Life
Over the next four years, you will be faced with incredible opportunities to experience a diverse community and to discover more about yourself and those around you. Who you are today and the aspects of your identity will be challenged and may change. Whether you are from a small town in Illinois, the Middle East, or Puerto Rico; whether you are Jewish, Muslim, or Catholic; whether you are black, white, Latino, Asian American, or Native American; whether you are male, female, or transgendered; whether you are gay or straight; whether you are an athlete, musician, debater, or fraternity member; whether you are studying math, English, astrophysics, or economics—each aspect of who you are helps form your identity. A number of mentorship programs are designed to support you academically and socially.
For information on how to make the best use of your mentors, visit caps.uchicago.edu/resources/handouts_mentoring.html.
Chicago Multicultural Connection
The Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC) is a diversity mentoring program sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA). This career-focused program can enhance your College experience and prepare you for post-graduation life. Each participant is matched with a mentor—a graduate student, staff/faculty member, or alum—according to career interest. Mentors and mentees are invited to informational workshops, cultural outings, and other quarterly activities.
To learn more about the CMC, visit the Web site at omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/, or e-mail Robin Graham at rgraham1@uchicago.edu, or call 4-6826.
Collegiate Mentoring Program
The Collegiate Mentoring Program (CMP), sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students in the College, is a diversity mentoring program that promotes learning and well-being from a student-centered perspective. CMP provides you with the opportunity to work closely with graduate and professional school students who support you as you manage your course work, make a place for yourself in the community, and get to know the city. CMP offers workshops, outings, speakers, and social events. At any time, you may meet individually with CMP's director to discuss joining the program. Your mentor assignment takes into account your specific requests, and the relationship often continues throughout your time at Chicago.
To find out more, contact Elise LaRose, director of Collegiate Mentoring, at emlarose@uchicago.edu or visit the Web site at collegiatementoring.uchicago.edu.
Phoenix BioSci Peer Mentor Program
This program matches sociable biological sciences or biological chemistry majors with first- and second-year students. Peer mentors have experience in both classroom and research environments at the University of Chicago. They provide information, advice, and support to first- and second-years, but do not serve as biological science tutors.
For more information, e-mail pmsaboard@listhost.uchicago.edu.
LGBTQ Mentoring Program
A lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans faculty or staff mentor can be paired with interested lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer undergraduates. Sympathetic queer adult mentors give counsel, support, and a sense of community to LGBTQ students. Mentors meet with students quarterly. In addition, the program sponsors a quarterly get-together for all participants.
For more LGBTQ resources, visit lgbtq.uchicago.edu or contact Kathy Forde, 2-0569, kaf1@uchicago.edu.
Students Supporting Students
This student organization assists first-year students in their transition to life in the College. The program pairs first-years with second-, third-, or fourth-year students in the College based on common interests. Your mentor will help you adjust to the University of Chicago and will serve as a friend and resource, while providing the perspective of an experienced College student.
To find out more, e-mail Abigail Mulligan at abigailm@uchicago.edu.
